Making science of influencing: assessing the impact of development research

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Date
2010-08Author
Sumner, Andy
Ishmael-Perkins, Nick
Lindstrom, Johanna
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Abstract
The impact and influence of development research is an agenda that has been gathering momentum over the last few years. This agenda is a coming together of two divergent concerns. The first, from the funders of research, draws on results based management and is concerned with getting value-for-money from research spending or with ‘more bang for the buck’. The second, more typical of those in the development studies research community, is concerned with whether research in the area is ‘making a difference’. Among development researchers there is also often a political or normative basis – addressing global poverty and inequality – and catalysing change. The meanings of the terms’ impact and influence are multiple, multi-layered and complex to track. They may refer to use (i.e. consideration) or actual outcome(s) of social change. They can be visible or invisible; progressive or regressive. Impacts and influence can be intended or unintended and immediate or long-term. The processes of impact and influence are acknowledged to be non-linear, iterative and complex. This paper considers the impact and influence of development research from a plurality of perspectives. Interest in the impact/influence of research projects aggregates upwards to support the overall case for (often public) funding of development research (in areas that are likely to play a major role in the next few years in changing the climate for public expenditure in light of the global financial crisis).
Citation
Sumner, A., Ishmael-Perkins, N. and Lindstrom, J. (2009) 'Making Science of Influencing: Assessing the Impact of Development Research', IDS Working Paper 335, Brighton: IDSIs part of series
IDS Working Paper;335More details
http://www.ntd.co.uk/idsbookshop/details.asp?id=1134Library catalogue entry
http://bldscat.ids.ac.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl?q=rn:282608Rights holder
Institute of Development StudiesCollections
- IDS Research [1614]